Manchester City Council Report for Resolution

Report to: Cultural Engagement Task and Finish Group – 15 August 2012

Subject: What are cultural organisations in the city doing?

What work is Manchester Art Gallery doing to directly engage residents of the city in arts and culture?

Report of: Fran Toms, Head of Culture

Summary:

This report responds to the purpose detailed for meeting three in the work programme for the Cultural Engagement Task and Finish Group;

To investigate the work which organisations in Manchester undertake to engage residents in their work, including but not limited to museums, theatres and art galleries.

To consider the different ways in which the Council influences external organisations that the Council contributes funds to directly as well those which it does not fund.

To focus on how well the organisations engage hard to reach groups, including young people and people from deprived or isolated communities and explore what measures are already in place or could be implemented to support the engagement more fully.

To invite representatives from various arts organisations to give their views on the work they do to engage with members of the public, how the Council fulfils its role in this and ways in which they would improve this work.

Recommendations

1. That the Committee note the contents of the report and are invited to lead a discussion to examine the detail of the work.

Wards Affected: All

Contact Officers:

Name: Fran Toms Position: Head of Culture Telephone: 0161 234 4256 Background documents (available for public inspection):

The following documents disclose important facts on which the report is based and have been relied upon in preparing the report. Copies of the background documents are available up to 4 years after the date of the meeting. If you would like a copy please contact one of the officers above.

Appendices

Appendix 1: Overview of local cultural organisations (not exhaustive) Appendix 2: Additional information Manchester Music Hub Appendix 3: Case studies cultural delivery 1.0 Introduction

1.1 Manchester has a thriving, diverse and high quality cultural offer that attracts international attention, as well as providing an accessible, high quality offer for our local communities and residents. The cultural and creative sector helps residents to understand their collective history and defines what it means to be part of Manchester. Working with education culture helps build aspiration and increase attainment, whilst also contributing a richness to other services to improve health and well being, skills and opportunities for employment.

1.2 The local cultural sector comprises a broad range of organisations varied in terms of workforce, turnover, art form, target audience and engagement practice. Attached in appendix 1 is an overview of some of the organisations which the City Council works with; this ranges from the small community arts group working with adults with mental health issues, the innovative creative and digital organisations, the medium sized youth theatres and art centres through to the large scale organisations of international significance. This is not intended to be exhaustive but only to provide an illustration of the diverse offer available to our communities.

1.3 The City Council has supported the cultural sector for many years, providing information, advice and guidance on a range of sector specific issues to over 70 local cultural organisations. Working with such a diverse sector Manchester City Council has developed a broad range of interventions and support processes to enable the growth and long term sustainability of the sector, in addition to the continuous improvement of local resident engagement.

2.0 Strategic Support to Local Organisations

2.1 In order to establish comprehensive support the Culture Team works closely with strategic funders and policy shapers, including AGMA, ACE and Heritage Lottery Fund. Together, the Cultural Ambition for the city was developed and launched in 2010 outlining five themes of future development; Culturally Distinctive, Community Inspired, Creative Investor, Talent City and Culturally Connected. Each of these themes touches on the quality of life of our local communities; however the strongest connections are made through the aims of Community Inspired and Talent City:

- To make the people of Manchester proud participants and architects of the city’s cultural life
- To provide communities with real opportunities to develop the cultural offer and build an enhanced sense of neighbourhood, identity and place
- To ensure that culture makes the fullest possible contribution to the health, wealth and cohesion of Manchester’s many communities.
- To open up pathways to employment and channelling the skills and creativity of Manchester’s residents towards education and work opportunities

2.2 The Ambition was a call to action which was answered, in part, through a cultural leaders group which developed the Manchester Culture Model; a collaborative response outlining four priority areas which have the most significant and immediate impact on achieving the city's ambition; Digital Content Development, Collaborative Arts Programming, Engaging and developing Talent, Strategic Marketing and Cultural Tourism.

2.3 The Engaging and Developing Talent Strand aims to map a creative learning journey from 0 – 19 for a young Manchester person, with appropriate signposts, support, interconnections for both young people and their schools and parents. This should give the best possible experience to young people and also ensure the best possible return on public investment in creative education.

2.4 To support the sector to collectively respond to the Ambition and drive its growth and sustainability the Cultural Partnership has been refreshed. The Board now comprises strategic funders in the region and focuses its agenda on both attracting and best use of investment and coordinated and collaborative delivery. The Board is complemented by a sub group structure and an annual event, which address key issues for the sector; both have open invitations to any interested organisations. The cultural Partnership also host a website (www.manchesterculturalpartnership.org) which provides regular news updates regarding national policy development, sign posting to funding, events and training for the sector. In order to support regular real time information for the sector the Cultural Partnership also uses twitter (@ManchesterCP) to promote any time limited opportunities.

3.0 Joint work; Pilots and Best Practice

3.1 As discussed in previous reports (Report 1, Report 2 and supplementary information for meeting 2), the Culture Team also develop and support pilot initiatives exploring better ways to engage certain groups of people in culture and the arts. For example;

- Developing the Valuing Older People Cultural Offer initiative in partnership with the Joint Health Unit's Valuing Older People Team.
- Embedding Cultural Activity Project as part of the Ardwick City Region Pilot, which sought to integrate cultural organisations in to the new ways of working being piloted, in particular connecting with work to improve mental health and well being and tackle worklessness.
- Cultural Attendance and Well-being Pilot will offer cultural attendance opportunities to Health Trainer clients as an intervention intended to improve well being and, in the long term, life expectancy.
- Working proactively with cultural employers, the Manchester College and the National Apprenticeship Service to develop new entry routes into employment in the sector for local young people through initiatives such as the Future Jobs Fund and Creative Apprenticeships.
- Supporting volunteer training and development programmes such as In Touch, led by Manchester Museum and Imperial War Museum
- Previously commissioned the Sharp Project to deliver a series of ‘Digital Summit’ discussion events during 2011/12, supported by Arts Council England. These events brought together key digital businesses to debate how the sector could best develop and take forward their collective ambitions to ensure Manchester distinguishes itself as a highly competitive creative and digital hub.

3.2 Other work developed by the Culture Team to target resident engagement is outlined below.

3.3 The newly formed Manchester Music Hub aims to build further cohesion between informal and formal education music offers, development pathways and performance opportunities within accessible geography for young residents. Music Hubs were introduced by DfE following Darren Henley’s review of music education provision and the guidance is published in ‘The Importance of Music: A National Plan for Music Education’. A cornerstone of future provision is that music education funds will not be allocated directly to Local Authority’s music education services, but to the lead organisation of a ‘Music Education Hub’, comprising of partners engaged in the delivery of music to children and young people. The Culture Team is represented on Manchester Music Hub’s Strategic Board to support its integration into the wider cultural landscape and collaborative opportunities in the city.

3.4 The culture team supported a consortium application to the AGMA Grant Funding Programme; this was phase five of a partnership between the ten Greater Manchester Authorities arts and culture departments, AGMA and the Arts Council England. Since it was first developed in 2004 this partnership, unique in the country, has led the way nationally in local authority partnerships in the arts. This application has secured over £1m investment in 2012-15 across Greater Manchester to develop local arts infrastructure and activity in addition to cross-borough joint working on high impact interventions including:

- The Arts Room provides advice and support to emerging and established artists to improve employability through platforms to market their work and signpost to training opportunities and networks
- Bringing high quality opportunities for digital engagement and training to priority communities
- Collaborative and joint working
- Developing an innovative new methodology for monitoring and evaluating arts services and activities, creating a toolkit for project management, evaluation and advocacy.

4.0 MCC Funded Organisations

4.1 The Culture Team manages a portfolio of strategic investments, which are made with organisations that the City Council has a strategic interest in, for example where we own a related property such as Z-Arts (formerly Zion Arts Centre), enabling the Halle to perform at the Bridgewater Hall, National Football Museum at Urbis or the newly merged Cornerhouse and Library Theatre Company being housed in the new First Street Cultural Facility. This portfolio also includes the regular support provided to Manchester International Festival. These agreements are long standing and subject to annual review at full Council budget setting. Each agreement has a bespoke performance management agreement; these are currently under review. 4.2 To complement the Strategic Investments, the Culture Team also have a portfolio of 15 Partnership Agreements which provide three year funding to Local Cultural Organisations delivering against the Cultural Ambition and demonstrating impact in our neighbourhoods and working with communities. As part of the decision making process in awarding the Partnership Agreements some consideration was given to programme fit to ensure we funded a comprehensive mix of organisations that delivered across the city, to a variety of audience through varied artform/medium. This funding is intended to provide support for mainstream provision and build up capacity within the organisations. These investments, along with snapshot summaries of over 40 cultural organisations operating in Manchester, are highlighted in Appendix 1.

4.3 Other funding to engage residents in arts and culture is allocated through the Neighbourhood Arts Funding, working with Community Cultural Services Area teams to develop local arts projects which meet the aims of the Cultural Ambition, Neighbourhood Focus Strategy and Arts Council priorities.

5.0 Manchester Cultural Organisations Mainstream delivery

5.1 In addition to appendix 1, appendix 3 explores in more detail the type of offer available to local communities and residents. Included here are a range of case studies highlighting specific impacts of work with hard to reach communities:

- HMF Community Theatre, Library Theatre Company
- The Storybox Project, Library Theatre Company
- Give Get GO! Lime Arts
- Manchester City South Housing Association, People’s History Museum
- Horace, Venture Arts
- Karen, Venture Arts
- Olympic Swimming Screen/Art Competition, Victoria Baths
- Sat’dy Allsorts, Z-Arts

5.2 To discuss specific work, its impact and potential improvement of the local cultural community provision the following organisations have been invited to join the meeting.

- Katy Archer, Director, Peoples History Museum
- Debra King, Director, Brightersound
- Janine Waters, Artistic Director, Waters Edge Arts

5.3 For Member’s interest a number of visits to cultural are also being arranged. All About Audiences Contact name: Gareth Davies Address: All About Audiences. Green Fish Resource Centre. 46 - 50 Oldham Street. Manchester. M4 1LE. Tel: 0161 234 2955 Email: hello@allaboutaudiences.com Website: www.allaboutaudiences.com What we do All About Audiences is the audience development agency for the North West region. Their role is to support arts, culture and heritage organisations to help better understand and grow their audiences. The organisation does this by providing professional expertise in audience development, community engagement, market research, marketing planning. They also provide tactical marketing services, which include print distribution and digital services.

Band on the Wall Contact name: Gavin Sharp Address: 25 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JZ Tel: 0161 830 3885 Email: gavin.sharp@bandonthewall.org Website: What we do Band on the Wall is a not-for-profit venue run by registered charity Inner City Music. We exist to present the best music from around the world and support our main stage events with a dynamic education programme which operates throughout the year - both in the venue and in the community and at local schools. Band on the Wall’s Learning and Participation Programme offers a range of inspiring, interesting and challenging opportunities for non-formal, hands-on learning. Some of our programmes are aimed at experienced music makers, some are open to everyone, some are for younger and for older people. All will be inspiring, supportive and give opportunities to learn perform and practice in Manchester’s best live music venue. Band on the Wall in partnership with Brighter Sound are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding

NBAA (Black Arts Alliance) Contact name: SuAndi Address: PO Box 86, Manchester. M21 7BA. UK. Tel: 0161 832 7622 / 07757278188 Email: baa@blackartists.org.uk Website: www.blackartists.org.uk

What we do NBAA is the North West’s only dedicated Black Arts & Culture Library. NBAA works across art forms to create productions that challenge perceptions of Black culture and that celebrate the many dimensions of Black heritages. The organisation employs the arts as a learning vehicle to assist disadvantaged and disenfranchised individuals particularly where they run the risk of civil law infringement. Using the wide ranging creative skills and social experiences of the company, NBAA offers: Education & Community Workshops, Teachers CPD, Exhibitions, Performances, Community Cohesion, Seminars, Conferences, Public Art Leadership Creative Participation, Empowering Collective Unity Training and much more.

Brighter Sound Contact name: Deborah King Address: Picturehouse Building, 29 Swan Street, Manchester M4 5JZ Tel: 0161 830 3899 Email: info@brightersound.com Website: www.brightersound.com

What we do Brighter Sound : Providing the best in music education workshops in Greater Manchester. Since 2000, we have worked with over 10,000 young people aged 0 - 19, leading to amazing performances at The Bridgewater Hall, The Lowry, Contact Theatre & Band on the Wall. Working with young people from all backgrounds and circumstances, we provide opportunities to create, share and develop under the leadership of experienced music professionals. As experts in the field, we are Matrix-accredited to deliver advice and guidance to small arts organisations and community projects. We also deliver training in leading workshops to volunteers and youth workers. Brighter Sound in partnership with Band on the Wall are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.

Castlefield Gallery Contact name: Kwong Lee Address: 2 Hewitt Street, Manchester, M15 4GB Tel: 0161 832 8034 Email: info@castlefieldgallery.co.uk Website: www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk

What we do Since its formation by artists in 1984, arts charity Castlefield Gallery has been at the forefront of developing emerging contemporary artists, and a venue for audiences to see new art. It runs an exhibitions programme that has included subsequent Turner Prize winners and national and international exhibitors, e.g. in the British Art Shows, Tate Triennials and the Venice Biennale. It has also mentored artists who have gone on to win major commissions, e.g. Manchester collective Owl Project who has just launched their Cultural Olympiad Artists Taking the Lead project in the North East. Castlefield are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding. Chinese Arts Centre

Contact name: Sally Lai Address: Market Buildings, 13 Thomas Street, Manchester Tel: 0161 832 7271 Email: sally.lai@chinese-arts-centre.org Website: www.chinese-arts-centre.org

What we do Chinese Arts Centre is the leading organisation for the promotion of contemporary Chinese art in the UK. Our aim is to advance the education of the public in all forms of Chinese culture. CAC believes in the importance of ongoing dialogue and exchange and the need for a diversity of perspectives in contemporary visual arts. We create meaningful encounters between artists, audiences, cultures and ideas that make contemporary art and culture relevant to diverse audiences. Working with the best creative talent we run a lively programme of exhibitions, residencies, engagement projects, festivals, international projects and events which support innovation and reflect the dynamism of contemporary Chinese art.

Comma Press

Contact name: Ra Page Address: 36-40 Edge Street, Manchester, M4 1HN Tel: Email: admin@manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk Website: www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

What we do Comma press is a not for profit publishing initiative dedicated to promoting new fiction and poetry with an emphasis on the short story. It is committed to a spirit of risk taking and challenging publishing, free of the commercial pressures on mainstream houses. From the outset Comma has published a biannual new writers showcase as a way of bringing in new talent alongside collections by already established writers.

Community Arts North West

Contact name: Angela Bezer Address: Green Fish Resource Centre, Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE Tel: 0161 234 2975 Email: angela@can.uk.com Website: www.can.uk.com

What we do Community Arts North West (CAN) is a Manchester based, arts development organisation who since 1978, have worked in partnership with communities, artists and agencies to encourage, create, and produce cultural programmes of work. CAN's main priority is to create access to cultural production for people that are excluded or on the fringes of mainstream cultural resources. Our work gives voice and visibility to the complex and diverse communities that make up Greater Manchester. Community Arts North West recently became an Arts Council England - National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) client recognising CAN's strong track record of producing excellent quality art. **Community Arts NW are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.**

**Contact**

**Contact name:** Suzie Henderson\
**Address:** Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA\
**Tel:** 0161 274 0659\
**Email:** suziehenderson@contactmcr.com\
**Website:** http://contactmcr.com

**What we do**

Contact is a dynamic charity based in Manchester with young people at the heart of everything we do. We work locally, nationally, and internationally to provide life changing opportunities for the next generation of creative leaders, artists, and audiences. Contact redefine theatre for the 21st Century, presenting and producing a diverse artistic programme in our building, surprising places, and virtual spaces. **Contact are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.**

**Cornerhouse and Library Theatre Company (GMAC)**

**Contact name:** Afroditi Barmparousi\
**Address:** Cornerhouse, 70 Oxford Street, Manchester. M1 5NH.\
**Tel:** 0161 228 7621\
**Email:** Afroditi.barmparousi@cornerhouse.org\
**Website:** www.cornerhouse.org

**What we do**

Cornerhouse is Manchester’s international centre for contemporary visual arts and culturally diverse independent film. Cornerhouse has three floors of contemporary art galleries, three screens showing the best in independent cinema, a bar, café and a bookshop. We also operate an international distribution service for contemporary visual arts books and catalogues. Founded in 1952, the Library Theatre Company has produced consistently high quality seasons of drama, musical theatre, plays for families, and comedies. It has both helped to develop, and adapted to, Manchester’s changing theatre landscape. A key feature of its current work is a flourishing Education and Community programme. The norfox Young People’s Theatre Company is now an integral part of the theatre. In April 2012 Cornerhouse and Library Theatre Company merged to become GMAC. The merger is the first step in the creation of a dynamic, vibrant new producing arts organisation. **GMAC is a strategic delivery partner of the council.**

**Creative Times**

**Contact name:** Andy Lovatt\
**Address:** 165 E Burton Road, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LN\
**Tel:** 0161 4462 991\
**Email:** info@creativetimes.co.uk\
**Website:** www.creativetimes.co.uk

**What we do** Creative Times is an online community and magazine for the creative sector. It mixes high-quality editorial from a team of respected and up-and-coming industry contributors, with news, views and events posted by members of the free-to-join Creative Times Directory. Creative Times originally launched in October 2005 as a paper-based journal for Manchester’s Creative Industries sector - distributed to over 5,000 contacts and published by the Creative Industries Development Agency. The original Creative Times website launched in 2008, winning both Fresh and Manchester Digital awards for its design and functionality. The site was relaunched in 2010 through a partnership between Cornerhouse and The White Room and covers all sectors in the creative, cultural and digital industries including art, performance and technology, ensuring a diverse readership of over 9000, with over 4000 followers on Twitter.

Dance Initiative Greater Manchester Contact name: Miriam Wild Address: Dance Initiative Greater Manchester, Zion Arts Centre, Stretford Road. Manchester. M15 5ZA Tel: 0161 232 7179 Email: miriam@digm.org.uk / info@digm.org.uk Website: www.digm.org/dev/ What we do Dance Initiative Greater Manchester a.k.a DIGM (pronounced Dime!) is Greater Manchester’s central dance organisation, providing a whole range of opportunities for dance. Specialising in sited and outdoor dance, we provide a whole range of opportunities, run creative projects throughout the region & offer advice and information. We are a charity working to increase access to high quality activity to underrepresented communities, working throughout the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester in partnership with local authorities, communities, educators and artists. Dance Initiative Greater Manchester are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.

Feelgood Theatre Productions Contact name: Caroline Clegg Address: Production House, 21 Lindum Avenue, Manchester, M16 9NQ Tel: Email: thefolks@feelgoodtheatre.co.uk Website: www.feelgoodtheatre.co.uk What we do Feelgood have been creating award winning theatre for 17 years. Since it was founded in 1994, the company has designed a range of accessible workshops and educational experiences for participants of all ages from a range of backgrounds. We believe that by giving people the opportunity to work alongside theatre professionals that they can acquire skills, have fun and take part in opportunities that can both enhance their lives and enrich local communities. Full Circle Arts Contact name: Chris Hammond Address: Full Circle Arts, 7 Schoolhouse, Second Avenue, Trafford Park Village, Manchester, M17 1DZ Tel: 0161 872 0326 Email: chris@fullcirclearts.co.uk Website: www.fullcirclearts.co.uk What we do Full Circle Arts, a user led arts organisation, are a resource for the sector by providing practical resources and services that help others work inclusively, more collaboratively, more effectively and more coherently. They offer partnerships and online support for arts organisations and artists to take inclusion in the arts forward within the landscape of emerging technologies, developing digital practice, social media and corresponding cultural shifts creating lasting social change. They believe in great art WITH everyone, encouraging inclusive participation to give people the capacity, inspiration and tools to be part of the cultural conversation. Full Circle Arts are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.

Gorton Visual Arts Contact name: Ian Mackay Address: The Angels Centre, Endcott Close, Gorton, M18 8BR Tel: 0161 830 3885 Email: info@gortonvisualarts.co.uk Website: www.gortonvisualarts.co.uk What we do Gorton Visual Arts has been creating artwork in and around Gorton and Manchester since 2006. We meet once a week at the Angels Centre opposite Gorton Monastery. The group is made up of 18 local residents and Lead Artist Ian McKay. By involving elderly residents, vulnerable adults and residents with learning difficulties, in a safe studio environment our projects are created to contain a strong element of outreach session delivered to a wide range of communities. The objective of Gorton Visual Arts is to develop new artistic skills for all group members who are encouraged to share these new skills with individuals and groups within the community. These opportunities for all residents take place at the studio and at external venues such as Gorton Monastery and Gorton Market.

Habarts Limited Contact name: Tamsin Drury Address: Tamsin Drury, hÅb, c/o Zion Arts Centre, 335 Stretford Road, Manchester, M15 5ZA Tel: 0161 232 6086 / (0)781 369 3862 Email: tamsin@habarts.org Website: www.wordofwarning.org / www.habarts.org What we do hÅb is a Manchester production and development organisation, specialising in contemporary performance, live art and sited intervention, with a focus on developing Manchester and North West emergent artists through projects like emergency, Turn, Hazard and Works Ahead. hÅb also produces Word of Warning, a new regular public programme of events in Manchester and a weekly e-mailer: Word of Warning is a one-stop shop for the bonkers, the beautiful and the bizarre of live performance; an attempt to keep alive the best of the 25 year greenroom legacy and to introduce new people to the possibilities of seeing live work. **Habarts are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.**

**Halle**

**Contact name:** John Summers\
**Address:** Halle Concerts Society, The Bridgewater Hall. Manchester. M1 5HA.\
**Tel:** 0161 237 7000 / 0161 237 7023\
**Email:** development@halle.co.uk\
**Website:** www.halle.co.uk

**What we do**

Now in its 154th season, the Hallé ranks among the UK’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in this country and around the world; award-winning recordings, radio broadcasts and educational outreach programmes; and a visionary commitment to building audiences and developing orchestral repertoire. **The Halle is one of the Council’s strategic delivery partners.**

**Lime Arts**

**Contact name:** Brian Chapman\
**Address:** High Elms, Upper Park Road, Manchester, M14 5RU\
**Tel:** 0161 256 4389\
**Email:** lime@limearts.org\
**Website:** www.limearts.org

**What we do**

Lime develops, co-ordinates and delivers a wide range of creative projects within healthcare. The aim is to show how the arts can play an important part in enhancing quality of life and quality of care. It is an award-winning arts charity within the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We work to: Improve Health Care Environments through working with architects and commissioners, staff and patient groups adding new dimensions to public spaces and clinical settings. Show how the arts can play an important role in public health - exploring issues through different creative languages to find new solutions to health inequalities and health promotion. Engage with Communities - delivering projects that connect, involve and consult with local people, hospital populations, schools, student groups, voluntary sector agencies, other cultural organisations.

**Manchester Camerata**

**Contact name:** Bob Riley\
**Address:** Manchester Camerata, RNCM, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD\
**Tel:** 0161 226 8696\
**Email:** briley@manchestercamerata.com\
**Website:** www.manchestercamerata.co.uk What we do Manchester Camerata, perform high quality chamber music to the people of Manchester, the North West of England and Cumbria. Creativity and energy are the hallmarks of Camerata’s work and reflect the spirit of its home city, Manchester, where the orchestra is in residence at the Royal Northern College of Music, and The Bridgewater Hall. Manchester Camerata performs regularly in Ulverston, Colne, Stafford and Doncaster, with major education projects in Chester. **Manchester Camerata are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.**

Manchester Cathedral **Contact name:** The Reverend Canon Shanks\
**Address:** Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester. M3 1SX.\
**Tel:** 0161 833 2220\
**Email:** canon.shanks@manchestercathedral.org\
**Website:** www.manchestercathedral.org

What we do Manchester Cathedral is the medieval ‘mother church’ of the Diocese of Manchester (Church of England). It is open every day, for people to come and pray; to admire the architecture, carvings, paintings and stained glass; or to learn about the often somewhat quirky history of the place. Regular guided tours are offered. The Cathedral is home to a fine choir. And, besides all sorts of religious events, it hosts a variety of concerts, ranging from classical to rock; also drama, art exhibitions, displays relating both to history and current affairs, lectures and other educational and cultural events.

Manchester Community Radio: All FM, North Manchester FM, Wythenshawe FM, Unity Radio, Radion Regen, Peace and Gaydio

What we do Community radio stations are not-for-profit stations with a social purpose, and work to involve the target community in running the service. The 7 community radio stations currently operating in Manchester serve a wide range of community groups and geographic areas. As well as programming targeted towards a wide range of community groups, the radio stations also take part in community engagement opportunities including training opportunities for young people and community events. **All FM in partnership with North Manchester FM are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.**

Manchester Craft and Design Centre **Contact name:** Kate Day\
**Address:** 17 Oak Street, Manchester, M4 5JD\
**Tel:** 0161 832 4274\
**Email:** info@craftanddesign.com\
**Website:** www.craftanddesign.com

What we do In the heart of the city's creative Northern Quarter, Manchester Craft & Design Centre is home to some of the finest designer makers in the region. Shop for original and bespoke contemporary items including textiles, jewellery, furniture, ceramics, lighting, cards and paintings. Take a look around the 19 studio boutiques housed over two floors within the unique surroundings of our Victorian market building. Watch the designers at work, commission a piece designed specifically for you or browse the latest exhibition. Foodies can also grab a bite to eat at the new Oak St. Cafe, which serves delicious homemade food and great coffee. You can also learn a new skill at one of our artist-led workshops or Creative Business Development events.

Manchester Digital Laboratory (MadLab) Contact name: Dave Mee Address: 36-40 Edge Street, Manchester, M4 1HN Tel: Email: dave@madlab.org.uk Website: www.madlab.org.uk What we do A 1000 sq. ft. former shop in the Northern Quarter, it's a space you can get together with like-minded individuals and work on your urban gardening, crochet, hacking, programming, media arts, filmmaking, animating project without worrying that you're in a library, coffee shop, pub or other unsuitable venue. We know hackers and craftspeople need work space and may need to get down and dirty – we also know sometimes you need a quiet area to present and show works to your peers. We support both activities. And we hope there will be a rich mix of individuals who'll get out of the usual zones, the knitter talking to the software architect, the cupcake maker scheming with the laser etching builder. To confirm Manchester’s rightful place as the home of technical and creative innovation and invention in the North West and beyond; to bring together the various communities of doers and thinkers that make this city brilliant and see what comes of it; to build interesting things that inspire others; and most important of all, because it's fun.

Manchester International Festival Contact name: Alex Poots Address: Blackfriars House, Manchester, M3 2JA Tel: 0161 238 7300 Email: info@mif.co.uk Website: www.mif.co.uk What we do Manchester International Festival is the world’s first festival of original, new work and special events, and takes place biennially in Manchester, UK. The Festival launched in 2007 as an artist-led, commissioning festival presenting new works from across the spectrum of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture. Highlights from the past three festivals – 2007, 2009 and 2011 have included group shows Il Tempo del Postino and 11 Rooms, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's Monkey: Journey to the West, Punchdrunk's immersive Dr Who experience The Crash of The Elysium, Music Boxes, a wonderful commission for children aged 6 months-7 years, Victoria Wood's That Day We Sang and the premieres of special gigs from Bjork to Snoop Dogg and Sinead O'Connor. The festival also encompasses MIF Creative, the community and learning focused arm of the festival, bringing MIF to the people and communities of Manchester and learning from them in its turn. **Manchester International Festival is a strategic delivery partner of the Council.**

**Manchester Jazz Festival**\
**Contact name:** Steve Mead\
**Address:** Manchester Jazz Festival, 223 Ducie House, Ducie Street, Manchester M1 2JW\
**Tel:** 0161 228 0662\
**Email:** festival@manchesterjazz.com\
**Website:** www.manchesterjazz.com\
**What we do**\
MJF present 9 days of live music each July; typically showcasing 400 musicians across 7-10 venues over 70-80 events. They present free gigs and concerts round the clock, day and night, indoors and out, bringing the best contemporary jazz to Manchester from the region, the UK and abroad. MJF joins forces with all Manchester's leading music venues and promoters such as RNCM, Band on the Wall, Matt & Phred’s Jazz Club, Bridgewater Hall and Midland Hotel. They encourage multiple genres of contemporary jazz and break down musical boundaries run, as well as commissioning new work from talented regional artists with the mjf originals and mjf introduces schemes.

**Manchester Jewish Museum**\
**Contact name:** Max Dunbar\
**Address:** 190 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, M8 8LW\
**Tel:** 0161 834 9879\
**Email:** admin@manchesterjewishmuseum.com\
**Website:** www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com\
**What we do**\
Manchester Jewish Museum (MJM) is for Jewish and non-Jewish people offering a unique experience as both a social history museum and as a resource for learning. Housed in Manchester's oldest surviving synagogue building, MJM's displays tell the diverse story of Manchester's Jewish heritage. MJM's exhibition and events programme has covered issues ranging from the Holocaust, Jewish family history, sport, kosher food tasting and has hosted concerts by the Manchester Halle. MJM’s award-winning learning and outreach programme reaches schools from across the UK, covering subjects such as Judaism, Jewish Festivals and the Holocaust.\
**Manchester Jewish Museum are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.**

**Manchester Literature Festival**\
**Contact name:** Cathy Bolton\
**Address:** Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6JG\
**Tel:** 0161 236 5555\
**Email:** admin@manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk\
**Website:** www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk\
**What we do** Manchester Literature Festival (MLF) provides unique and imaginative opportunities for audiences to experience high quality live literature via an annual festival format and associated project activities. Our main objectives are: to showcase the very best in contemporary writing from across the world, to commission innovative literature from established and emerging writers, to provide opportunities for writers to experiment with new media in the production and presentation of their work, to promote Manchester as a hub for international cultural exchange, and to provide inspirational opportunities for children and young people to engage in creative writing and reading activities.

The Manchester Museum Contact name: Esme Ward Address: The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL Tel: 0161 275 2650 Email: esme.ward@manchester.ac.uk Website: www.manchester.ac.uk/museum What we do The Manchester Museum, at The University of Manchester, hosts an array of treasures from the natural world and the many cultures it is home to. Highlights include a T-rex and fossils of other pre-historic creatures, ancient Egyptian artefacts, the new Living Worlds gallery and live amphibians and reptiles. The Museum’s events programme includes handling objects from the collection, hands-on activities or exploring the latest ideas in science, culture and the arts. The engagement team deliver sessions in schools and community venues throughout the year.

MOSI Contact name: Rebecca Leese Address: Museum of Science & Industry, Liverpool Road, Castlefield. Manchester. M3 4FP Tel: 0161 833 0027 Email: education@mosi.org.uk / r.leese@mosi.org.uk Website: www.mosi.org.uk What we do MOSI is a fascinating and fun day out for everyone. Located on the historic site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station, and housed in five listed buildings, MOSI’s inspirational galleries, daily demonstrations, and exciting events and activities tell the story of Manchester’s scientific and industrial past, present and future.

Music Stuff Contact name: Lenny Portersmith Address: Units 3-4 The Cuthbert Centre, 877 Ashton Old Road, Manchester, M11 2NA Tel: 0161 223 8700 Email: music.stuff@virgin.net Website: www.musicstuff.org.uk What we do Music Stuff work across Manchester and with a number of specifically targeted groups including, NEET young people, young people at risk of becoming NEET, vulnerable young people, young people at risk of exclusion, recovering substance abusers, young Parents, young Offenders, care leavers, asylum seekers & refugees, looked after children, homeless young people, adult learners, young people with an interest in music and media, children with a disability and their families, elderly people with dementia, people with mental health issues etc. We have been particularly successful at achieving certain outcomes such as engaging challenging and hard to reach young people, achieving accredited outcomes, achieving positive progressions for young people, working effectively within community settings and building partnerships around the client. Within often challenging environments Music Stuff have delivered a range of successful arts provision that is focused on participation. These include writing and performing plays, song writing, performances from bands and individuals, writing poetry, dance, drama groups, story telling, visual art exhibitions, learning about music technology, learning to play instruments etc.

The National Football Museum Contact name: Kevin Moore Address: Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, M4 3BG Tel: 0161 605 8200 Email: info@nationalfootballmuseum.com Website: www.nationalfootballmuseum.com What we do The National Football Museum exists to explain how and why football has become 'the people's game', a key part of England's heritage and way of life. It also aims to explain why England is the home of football, the birthplace of the world's most popular sport. The Museum is for everyone regardless of age, gender, disability, sexuality, religion or any other factor. Is not just for those who are interested in or passionate about the sport. NFM aims to be the first point of contact with football for non-fans and an introduction to wider aspects of culture and history for football fans. NFM has a particular focus on those sections of the community that do not usually visit museums and galleries. In the coming months, resources will be available for formal and informal learning groups with learning activities taking place around the museum and in our dedicated Learning Suite. The Museum has a long-term mission, a responsibility to protect football's heritage and culture for future generations as well as current audiences. The National Football Museum are a strategic delivery partner of the Council.

Noise Festival Contact name: Denise Proctor Address: NOISE Festival Ltd., P.O. Box 4106, Manchester, M60 1WW Tel: 0161 237 9009 Email: communications@NOISEfestival.com Website: www.NOISEfestival.com What we do The award-winning NOISE charity provides opportunities for those with talent to kick-start a debt-free, creative industries career. From Summer 2012, NOISE re-launches www.NOISEfestival.com to offer enhanced portfolios, e-learning and mentoring. Designed to support the transition from amateur to professional-level. NOISE pioneers enterprise and employability skills opportunities via innovative, industry-led projects and endorsements from globally recognised creatives (Zaha Hadid, Wayne Hemingway...). We showcase young people’s talents professionally via international media partnerships (MTV, BBC), online and high-profile, national-career events, to promote them to their full potential. We also work with educational and community organisations, to enhance their offering.

**Pankhurst Centre**

**Contact name:** Yvonne Edge\
**Address:** 60-62 Nelson Street, Manchester, M13 9W\
**Tel:** 0161 273 5673\
**Email:** admin@thepankhurstcentre.org.uk\
**Website:** www.thepankhurstcentre.org.uk

**What we do** The birthplace of the Suffragette movement is now the Pankhurst Centre, a women’s community centre. This historically significant building was the home of Emmeline Pankhurst and family who led the Suffragette campaign for Votes for Women. Within the Centre there is a small heritage area with information about the Pankhursts and the Suffragette movement. This is open to the general public. As a women’s community centre it provides and offers space for activities and events run by women for women. It offers a unique place in which women can learn together, work on projects and socialise. This vibrant centre plays host to a number of women’s organisations and projects that support women. **The Pankhurst Centre in partnership with Victoria Baths are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.**

**People’s History Museum**

**Contact name:** Kirsty Mairs\
**Address:** People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester. M3 3ER. United Kingdom\
**Tel:** 0161 838 9190\
**Email:** learning@phm.org.uk\
**Website:** www.phm.org.uk

**What we do** The People’s History Museum is the only museum which tells the story of the development of democracy in Britain. They engage, inspire and inform all audiences that ‘there have always been ideas worth fighting for’. PHM interprets the museum’s collections through permanent galleries, exhibitions and events; engaging children, young people, families and adults with the development of democracy and citizenship through our learning programmes. PHM enable world class research using their archive. They promote the textile conservation studio as the international centre of excellence for banners conservation. **The People’s History Museum are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.** Performing Arts Network & Development Agency (PANDA)

Contact name: Anne-Marie Crowther Address: PANDA, Black Lion, 65 Chapel Street, Salford. M3 5BZ Tel: 0161 274 0629 Email: anne-marie@panda-arts.org.uk Website: www.panda-arts.org.uk

What we do PANDA supports the generation of innovative creativity in performing arts. PANDA’s mission is to proactively support a vibrant enterprise culture by nurturing talent, creating connections and providing an authoritative voice for the performing arts sector. PANDA supports anyone working, or aspiring to work, within the performing arts sector within the North-West and neighbouring regions. **PANDA are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.**

Reclaim

Contact name: Ruth Ibegbuna Address: Reclaim, Suite 3B2, Portland Buildings, Portland Street, Manchester. M1 4PZ. Tel: 0161 233 4090 Email: r.ibegbuna@reclaimproject.org.uk Website: www.reclaimproject.org.uk

What we do RECLAIM is a charity working in the most disadvantaged communities of Greater Manchester, providing positive pathways young people. RECLAIM identifies young leaders (aged 12 and 13) who have influence among their peers but who face real (and imagined) barriers to success. The RECLAIM ethos is one of targeted-support and close-mentoring, leading to self-reliance and success. We guide our young people towards exciting leadership opportunities, supported by a safe network of caring adults. We work to raise aspirations within our participants and link them with the decision-makers in their community in order to affect positive change.

Redeye

Contact name: Alex Hodby Address: Redeye, Chinese Arts Centre, Market Buildings, Thomas St, Manchester M4 1EU, UK Tel: 0845 456 0260 Email: alex@redeye.org.uk Website: www.redeye.org.uk

What we do Redeye is a not-for-profit organisation set up to support photographers at every level, and improve the health of photography generally. It is based in Manchester, UK, and has subscribers and users across the UK and globally. It aims to form a clear picture of the ways photographers and photographic artists are working now, and give them access to events, opportunities, advice and information that are relevant to their work and difficult to find elsewhere. Alongside this it works to bring photographic and other organisations together, to encourage ethical and best practice, and to build a voice for photography.

**Royal Exchange**

**Contact name:** Ben Turner\
**Address:** St Anns Square, Manchester, M2 7DH\
**Tel:** 0161 615 6697\
**Email:** education@royalexchange.co.uk\
**Website:** www.royalexchange.co.uk

**What we do** The theatre's Education Department offers people of all ages, backgrounds and experiences the chance to explore every aspect of theatre, to get involved in creative projects, take part in tours, discussions, play readings and talks, and to make the Royal Exchange their own. In all of our work we seek to develop partnership links – with schools, practitioners, other agencies and arts organisations across Greater Manchester and beyond. The Royal Exchange Theatre is one of seven organizations across Britain working in partnership with the Co-operative Foundation to deliver their major new initiative, Truth about Youth, which challenges and changes negative perceptions about young people by supporting projects which enable them to work with adults, the media and the wider community. The Truth About Youth Festival (TaY:Festival), which takes place over 14 days in July 2012, has been created by 958 young people and 211 adults from Manchester.

**The Sharp Project**

**Contact name:** Tom Clarke\
**Address:** The Sharp Project, Thorp Road. Manchester. M40 5BJ.\
**Tel:** 0161 205 5508\
**Email:** Tom.Clarke@thesharpproject.co.uk\
**Website:** www.thesharpproject.co.uk / www.thesharpproject.co.uk/thecampus

**What we do** The Sharp Project, home to digital entrepreneurs and production companies, is where Space, Power, Connectivity and People converge. Occupants at The Sharp Project make, manipulate or move around the world, digital content. The Sharp Project is based in a 200,000 sq ft refurbished warehouse previously occupied by electronics company Sharp; it offers flexible office, production and event space at affordable prices.

**Streetwise Opera**

**Contact name:** Bridget Rennie\
**Address:** Booth Centre, Manchester Cathedral, Manchester, M3 1SX\
**Tel:** 020 7730 9551\
**Email:** br@streetwiseopera.org\
**Website:** www.streetwiseopera.org

**What we do** Streetwise Opera's mission is to give homeless and formerly homeless people opportunities to further their personal development through participation in music making of the highest professional quality and to promote more positive attitudes towards homeless people. It aims to: produce musical work of a professional standard so that participants benefit from being involved in something of quality, to develop the creativity, self-esteem, confidence, social networks, enjoyment and skills of homeless and formerly homeless people through regular music workshops and related activities that provide a welcoming, safe and non-judgmental environment, to demonstrate through the development of these qualities and skills, positive changes in the lives of participants, to help create positive attitudes and understanding of homelessness amongst the general public and policy makers and to mitigate the social exclusion felt by participants.

**Venture Arts**

**Contact name:** Amanda Sutton\
**Address:** 43 Old Birley St, Manchester, Greater Manchester M15 5RF\
**Tel:** 0161 232 1223\
**Email:** info@venturearts.org\
**Website:** www.venturearts.org

**What we do**

Venture Arts works with people from across Manchester, young and old who have a learning disability. Their focus is to provide a light, bright, creative environment where people can learn about and produce fantastic visual artworks and showcase them to large audiences. **Venture Arts are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.**

**Victoria Baths**

**Contact name:** Gill Wright\
**Address:** Hathersgate Road, Manchester, M13 0FE\
**Tel:** 0161 224 2020\
**Email:** gill.wright@victoriabaths.org.uk\
**Website:** www.victoriabaths.org.uk

**What we do**

Victoria Baths provides an inspirational setting for educational activities in many curriculum areas, particularly history and creative arts. We can provide tours of the building to suit any age group from primary up to further education and are happy to tailor tours for specialist learners. We can also provide space for a range of activities from one-off visits to longer projects. We believe that Victoria Baths has made a distinctive contribution to the arts in Manchester by providing a unique and changing setting for arts activities with links to a variety of audiences. **Victoria Baths in partnership with the Pankhurst Centre are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.**

**Waters Edge Arts**

**Contact name:** Janine Waters\
**Address:** The Edge Theatre and Arts Centre, Manchester Road, Chorlton, M21 9JG\
**Tel:** 0161 615 6697\
**Email:** janine@watersedgearts.com Website: www.royalexchange.co.uk

What we do The Edge provides opportunities for all ages and backgrounds to be involved in the arts as participant and spectator. It is housed within a beautiful Victorian building and has excellent transport links. The Edge’s productions, in-house/visiting, participatory/amateur/professional, bring high-quality theatre to Chorlton. Two workshop/rehearsal studios, 70-seat theatre, writers’ room, music room. Arts Café (scheduled January 2013): part-funded by MCC learning-disability unit, this café gives learning-disabled adults volunteer/employment opportunities, exhibition space and performance platform. Our activities develop confidence, self-esteem, group working skills, communication, presentation skills. They address community cohesion, conflict resolution, and give people a voice. Our projects include JUMP (unemployed people); Expressive Edge (learning disabled adults); Young Expressive (children with Downs) opens 2013; two new projects for newly-released prisoners and hard-to-reach young people from Barlow-Moor Community-Centre. Waters Edge Arts are now in receipt of Cultural Partnership Agreement funding.

Whitworth Art Gallery Contact name: Ed Watts Address: Oxford Road, Manchester. M15 6ER Tel: 0161 275 7450 Email: ed.watts@manchester.ac.uk Website: www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk What we do Whitworth Art Gallery is part of The University of Manchester. It is home to internationally renowned collections of modern art, textiles, watercolours, prints, drawings and sculpture. Created in 1908 as the first English gallery in a park, the Whitworth is today developing a new vision for the role of a university gallery, and is forging stronger connections between park, community and landscape through its development and extension opening in 2014. www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth

Z - Arts Contact name: Liz O’Neill Address: Z-Arts, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme. M15 5ZA. Tel: 0161 232 6076 Email: liz@zionarts.com Website: www.z-arts.org What we do Z-arts mission is to inspire and enable generations of young people from across Manchester and beyond to use creativity to reach their potential. We believe that being engaged in creative activity can have a lasting and transforming effect on the lives of young people so we work with both formal and informal education to provide creative learning opportunities. We have recently announced our ambition to become Manchester’s dedicated venue for children and families, aiming to build a theatre and arts programme that reflects our values of being welcoming and vibrant forward-thinking as much as our participatory work does. Z-Arts (formerly Zion Arts) are the Council’s Strategic Delivery Partner for children and young people. Appendix 2

Manchester Music Hub

In November 2011 DfE published its arrangements for the future funding of music provision in a document entitled ‘The Importance of Music; A National Plan for Music’. A cornerstone of future provision is that Music funds will not be directly to LA’s music education services but to the lead organisation of a ‘Music Education Hub’.

‘Music education hubs will ensure that every child aged 5-18 has the opportunity to sing and learn a musical instrument, as well as perform. It will also allow young people to take their talent further - this might be through local ensembles, choirs, partnerships with nationally funded music organisations, including (Arts Council) National Portfolio Organisations or through involvement in the Music and Dance Scheme.

It is intended that Music Education Hubs build on existing music services through a collection of organisations working together in a local area, to create joined up music education provision for children and young people, both in and out of school.

Arts Council England were charged with leading on the Music Hub funding process and in May 2012 Manchester was awarded £2,345,777 over 3 years; 2012 -15. It should be noted that although Manchester was successful in securing the full allocation for the city, it is a considerable reduction in grant compared to previous years. In addition to a national cut to funding for music education, the area allocation process was changed from historic amounts based on out of date formulas to a more equitable apportionment based on pupil numbers. The formation of the music hub is intended to encourage deliverers to look at new ways of attracting funding and providing value for money; including making better use of additional resources achieved through effective partnerships.

Manchester Music Hub’s lead organisation is the City Council’s, Children’s Services and it is supported by a Strategic Board comprising of Manchester schools, MCC Culture Team, the Royal Northern College of Music, Brighter Sound and One Education (formerly Manchester Music Service).

Delivery partners include organisations such as Drake Music, the Halle, Manchester Jazz Festival, Manchester Camerata, Z-Arts, Chethams School of Music, Royal Northern College of Music and Brighter Sound.

A Quality Assurance Group comprising of Primary and Secondary school Head Teachers will form an important part of the governance of the Hub providing feedback on services to schools and contributing to the future development of the Hub.

The Manchester Hub is based on strong foundations and will create opportunities to support the achievement of the Manchester Cultural Ambition and the City’s Neighbourhood Focus Strategy. With the diversity and quality of music organisations and practitioners based in the city, a Manchester Hub has the opportunity to build further cohesion between informal and formal education music offers, development pathways and performance opportunities within accessible geography for young residents. Within the city boundaries there is access to a wealth of talent and expertise, including world class orchestras and the largest pool of freelance musicians outside of London.

The Manchester Hub will devolve a large proportion of the funding (73%) directly to schools. This is a tried and tested approach, begun in Manchester in 2008 to ensure effective provision of first access music tuition. This model provides several key benefits; presently Manchester schools spend in excess of £500,000 from their own resources to augment core and extension work, it is envisaged they will continue to do so; schools make the decision what to offer – often based on continuation activities available both in school or in the local community, increasing sustainability; the One Education Music senior leadership team have strong links with all Manchester schools and will continue to provide professional guidance.

One Education have been commissioned through the remainder of the funding (27%) to provide out of school ensembles, exciting performance opportunities, a vocal strategy, training and CPD for teachers in schools / academies, capacity building in music technology and Special Education Needs music, data collection and quality assurance.

The Manchester Hub is committed to developing ensembles and providing regular performance opportunities for students. These take the form of school based ensembles e.g. class band / choir, school band / orchestra / choir or through One Education Music’s Activities Programme. There are presently 65 ensembles delivered in Music Centres and a further 60 that are delivered in schools. Approx 4500 pupils attend these ensembles weekly.

The Junior Royal Northern College of Music, Chetham’s School of Music and the Halle also offer ensemble programmes for gifted and talented pupils and it is an ambition of the Hub, through closer partnership working, to increase the number of pupils from the City of Manchester in these programmes.

The hub also has the potential to identify and support hard to reach pupils who may not be attending school, for example Brighter Sound’s strategic and delivery focus in relation to the Hub will be children in challenging circumstances.

The monitoring required by Arts Council England regarding data capture of children and young people accessing hub activity is detailed and will provide challenges, however it should also be helpful in providing a more comprehensive picture of how children and young people are accessing music across the city and their progression routes.

Manchester Music Education Hub will officially begin operating in September 2012 although the media launch was held at the Bridgewater Hall on July 5th at the annual “Big Sing” event when over 1500 pupils celebrated the culture of Manchester Music. The communications strategy for the Music Hub includes the development of a new website aimed at young people and families – ‘MY HUB’. The site is currently under development and aims to be operational in September 2012. Case Studies

Library Theatre Company

HMF Community Theatre

HMF Theatre is the Library Theatre Company’s community theatre company for people living in the city of Manchester. It’s the opportunity for anybody aged over 18 to get involved in theatre, to develop their skills and create their own performances with the support of the team at the LTC.

The group was set up in 2011 and originally engaged with adults living in Hulme, Moss Side and Fallowfield. More recently we have opened the group up to include people from across Manchester City Centre.

The group meets weekly at Cornerhouse and takes part in performance skills workshop. The participants have the opportunity to work with different theatre practitioners allowing them to experience varying theatre techniques.

HMF Community Theatre Company makes theatre that is reflective on their own lives and their place with in the rich history of Manchester. They devise and write their own work, which we aim to perform in local community spaces.

The company performed a play on a stall on King’s Street at the Christmas Market. The show received coverage from the MEN newspaper and BBC Manchester radio and drew in large crowds each evening. It was a challenging but rewarding experience for all involved.

- I can’t tell you how much confidence I have gained from being part of HMF. I still can’t believe I stood on a market stall at Christmas and performed to people in the street. I never would have been able to do something like that before joining the company. - Pamela

- It is great to mix with such a diverse group of people. It is such a warm and welcoming group, I don’t suppose I would normally meet people like this in my everyday live. And the fact we all get on and support each other is such a nice feeling. - Liam

- I look forward to coming every week! I’m getting on a bit now and there’s not much else that is this interesting in my life. I love seeing everyone each week and have really grown in confidence with my performing. - Shamza

The Storybox Project

The project delivers creative storytelling workshops for older people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as offering training for artists and carers. The Library Theatre Company and Manchester University will then evidence the impact of creative activity on the participants’ wellbeing. The project is being delivered over three years with funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. The idea is to use music, props and costume to support make-believe worlds for stories to be told in and acted out. Artists Sara Cocker and Lowri Evans chose themes that were accessible, evocative and with filmic qualities; such as ‘A Hollywood Premiere’, ‘A Seaside Pier’ or ‘A Western Saloon’. These archetypal themes were easy for participants to relate to; as well as play in.

The emphasis of the sessions is on the present. Whilst naturally the stimulus evokes memories and there is space to share these: Storybox is not a reminiscence project. Working with personal memories can be frustrating or confusing to people with dementia, so the sessions were designed to be a celebration of the moment. This has a fun, freeing effect on the participants where there is no right and wrong, and each participant is made to feel valued and valid.

Over three years of running the project 30 art practitioners have been specially trained and over 300 people have participated. Older people are showing improvement in their well being and as well as reduced isolation. The project has increased arts activities for older people at LTC, which has increased the number of carers who believe in the benefits of cultural activities.

Leaving a legacy of practical activities, creative ideas and a person-centred approach is an essential part of the project. Later in the year there will be training events for artists and carers offering specific skills and advice for working with the arts and older people.

**Lime Arts**

*Give Get GO! – Volunteering Campaign for Manchester’s Joint Health Unit.*

In April 2010, Lime was approached by the Joint Health Unit to run workshops across the city to create art for a print media campaign on the mental well-being benefits of volunteering. There were 34 workshops conducted by five artists working in different disciplines. The workshops included several day long workshops at a project cost of £16,800 (plus printing costs, which were covered via the council JHU), which attracted a total of 60 participants.

The event was able to produced 60 bus stop poster; postcards. 1000 z-cards; 1000 A3 posters; 1000 A4 posters; a short film by Shawe Thing; a series of 6 sculptures at City Centre Project and a series of self portraits at Manchester Foyer. The body of works produced from the project was exhibited on 30th October 2010 at 2 events in Manchester.

**People’s History Museum**

*Manchester City South Housing Association*

The tour was designed in collaboration with Niall Power Head of Regeneration at City South. The Housing Association have been working with a number of cultural venues in Manchester including the Royal Exchange, Library Theatre, Whitworth Art gallery and Contact, so it seemed apt to connect with them as a provider to promote PHM’s wellbeing programme. After attending a regeneration meeting and presenting an overview of the museum; its activities, programmes and exhibition spaces, the team expressed an interest in developing a programme that supports their more active residents in promoting the museum to other residents living in the community with a view to improving neighbourhood relations and community cohesion.

The Group

City South recruited 17 people to attend the day who came from the following wards:-

- Hulme
- Fallowfield
- Mosside
- Salford

The group was made up of young people and adults many of whom had not visited the museum for a long time and the majority were visiting for the first time. It was also the first time they’d met as a group.

The Activity

The tour was designed as a taster session to sample and experience the Living History performance, a tour of the galleries and hands on session in the Learning Studio. It ended with a discussion about what they enjoyed and ideas for future sessions. Watching the performance of, No Bed of Roses, after a welcome and introduction, worked really well as a lead into the galleries and displays. The Living History session provoked emotion and curiosity in the group and helped to illustrate citizenship and themes explored in the gallery in an active way.

Some people did not get past the Revolution section of the gallery they were so absorbed, whilst a few were happier to look around alone to take in the story.

The hands on session – making clay parts inspired by the ceramics on display – was wonderfully received and helped the group to really gel. There was lots of laughter, joking and friendly banter. When asked if this bonding formed because they were in the PHM doing these activities as opposed to somewhere else the response was mixed. One person felt it could have taken place anywhere, more of the group said there was something about doing the activities in the People’s History Museum, which is about ordinary people’s history – ‘people like me’ and Manchester’s history that helped the connections to be made in the group.

Venture Arts

Horace

Horace does not access any support from the community or from services. Up until 3 years ago he was looking after his mother who was suffering from dementia – the responsibilities for him were enormous and life was not easy. His mother died 3 years ago. This was an incredibly difficult time for him and he always came to Venture Arts, but he didn’t seem to get any other help along the way; no grief counselling or support. He now lives with his elderly father and they look after each other to a certain extent but, for Horace, life at home has been difficult for many years. He has been attending Venture Arts for over twenty years and this really has been a life line for him. Without us he would undoubtedly have spent much of his life behind closed doors. In his time at Venture Arts he has been involved in a huge variety of arts projects. He is very creative and hugely talented. He likes to express ideas that are important to him through his art work.

More recently he trained to become a Venture Arts ‘learning mentor, helping to teach art to young people in schools. This was a milestone for him as a person as he has never had any sort of a job before.

In his words: ‘My life would have been nothing without Venture Arts.’ ‘There are over 1.5 million adults with learning disabilities in England, around 10% of who are currently known to social services’

Thanks to coming to Venture Arts every day and living in his local community Horace is well known and loved by many around him. We feel that we can provide long term support for some who are not in care.

Karen

Karen has not had an easy time in life. She has a learning disability and physical disabilities. Karen was brought up by her parents but moved from her parent’s house over 25 years ago. From that time her life was unsettled and she was moved from home to home.

Having suffered all her adult life with people not understanding her needs or giving her appropriate services, things hit breaking point about two years ago when people in charge of her care accused her of being ‘wicked and attention seeking’. Her sister eventually stepped in and moved Karen into her home. Karen has been attending Venture Arts for the past eight years. For her, through this time we have been the only ‘constant’ in her life ‘, a place where she can express herself and feels she is doing something useful, where she feels proud of her achievements, where she feels that she is not different from everybody else. Despite what others have accused her of, we have always got on with Karen like a house on fire – she is funny and charming, will most likely be found chatting away and making every one feel at home. As her sister has said ‘Karen reacts badly when she is being treated badly’.

At Venture Arts Karen has been involved in many arts projects and has exhibited her work professionally in 3 major exhibitions. She is extremely proud of this. She has also helped us to design our new leaflet and always plays an important role in steering group meetings. Now that Karen is living with her sister, she is over the moon, she absolutely loves it and it seems, at last, that she has love, consistency and stimulation in her life.

We find that when people are having a hard time in their lives, (which comes with the territory if you happen to have been born with a learning disability) we are proud to be the friendly faces – the people who aren’t involved in the ‘services’, the getaway where people can learn and develop as they wish and meet up with their friends in a supportive environment.

Victoria Baths

Olympic Swimming Screen / Swimming Art Competition Victoria Baths hosted the Olympic Swimming Screen to bring people together to celebrate Olympic Swimming past, present and future, engaging local families and the community.

We put up a big screen in our Females Pool and screened the first evening of Olympic Swimming (28th July) – an open, free event targeted particularly at local residents and Manchester’s swimming community. People were invited to explore the building and/or take a guided tour before the screening (tours for Tung Sing tenants were translated into Chinese).

Your Housing, who own Grove Village and Tung Sing, sponsored the event and advertised it directly to their tenants. The local schools were invited to take part in a Swimming Art competition in the run up to the event. Entries were displayed on the night and prizes were presented. Jess Lloyd (one of Team GB’s youngest swimmers) also visited and met Yr 5 children from Plymouth Grove School, and did a Q&A session.

It was a great evening resulting in a mixed audience with positive numbers from the target groups, with a great atmosphere and with positive feedback.

Z-Arts

Sat’dy Allsorts

Sat’dy Allsorts is a music-making project that has been running for 3 years and is very well known within the community. The young people targeted are 10-18 year olds who are interested in music-making from all across Greater Manchester but principally from the Hulme/Moss Side area.

The project encourages musical talent and potential in young people encompassing those in challenging circumstances by delivering weekly workshops in music making; focusing on songwriting and performance. It offers free creative activity and raises aspirations to flourish creative talent.

The activities take place at Z-arts; during regular Saturday morning weekly workshops, as well as outside touring to other youth-centred venues and festivals. Each session is 2 hours long with increased activity during festival periods and running up to performances. This gives participants a sense of continuity and support. Young people in these areas are too used to having projects stop when funding runs out, which they report as leaving them with a sense of being “forgotten” and “left behind”.

Sat’dy Allsorts also have access to the Z-arts recording studio and equipment so they can record tracks, as well as access to computers and production software so they can produce their tracks and access to PA equipment, microphones and rehearsal space so they can practice. The Mac Suite at Zion is equipped with six AppleMacs, with Logic, Garageband, Final Cut Express and the iLife suite. Access to this, alongside instruction in the different programmes is an essential part of this project.

Sat’dy Allsorts has improved the quality and standards of music delivery for children and young people and the provision for young people’s musical opportunities has increased as a result of creative collaborations.